New limits on the ability of ordinary Americans, organizations and businesses
to participate in political debate are being rushed through Congress. These
proposals could hinder public discussion of the voting records and beliefs
of political candidates, particularly incumbents.

"There has never been a problem of too little information being
available about politicians' records," said David W. Almasi, director
of publications and media relations for The National Center for Public Policy
Research, a non-partisan Washington think-tank. "Restrictions on the
right of people to even talk about how a candidate voted on a particular
issue will be a mortal blow to our First Amendment right to freedom of speech."

The "Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 1999" - commonly
referred to as the Shays-Meehan bill - is well-known for its ban on soft
money and increased disclosure requirements for campaign donations. Supporters
of the bill are circulating a "discharge petition" in an effort
to force the bill to the floor of Congress over the objections and scheduling
decisions of House Speaker Dennis Hastert and congressional leaders.

Policy organizations are monitoring the Shays-Meehan bill because it
would restrict almost any statement regarding the policy positions and votes
of a candidate or elected official who is not retiring. As a result, non-partisan
advocacy organizations could be at risk of being in violation of the new
law for just about anything they may say or write about an incumbent politician.

"Restricting the ability of people to let others know where a politician
stands is less a protection of democracy as it is a shield for politicians
to cover up their records," said Almasi. "If we truly want to
bring fairness to the campaign process, we should instead curb the abuse
of absentee ballots and repealing the fraud-ridden motor-voter provision
and other known problems."

The National Center for Public Policy Research is a non-profit, non-partisan
educational foundation. It publishes the Political Money Monitor, a newsletter
highlighting the campaign reform debate in Washington and across America.
Comments and inquiries can be sent to [email protected]or by calling 202/543-4110 x106.